2018 MAC Pick’em — Week 6
It’s Rivalry Week to kick off a full slate of MAC games and turn the page to October
Goodbye September. Hello October.
The change in the calendar brings the one of the best months of the year in terms of football. Conference play begins, but more importantly, rivalry games come back. This week alone, we have three trophy games (one of which is part of three-team trophy) and round that out with another three MAC games that are sure to entice viewers throughout the day.
Last week saw no one go perfect, but two people missed one MAC game apiece to finish tied atop the standings. Congrats to Nick McCarthy and Kaleb C on huge 10 point weeks. Full breakdown here. And as promised, our cumulative totals after one month are here, and there are five people within one MAC game of the leader Robert Tomlinson.
Let’s get to Week 6 and a guaranteed 14 points up for grabs. Form here if not available below.
Buffalo @ Central Michigan — The Bulls had a bad week against a good Army team that is built to grind you down. Central Michigan is the opposite in that it grinds no one down. Tyree gets back on track and Buffalo moves to 2–0 in the MAC.
Eastern Michigan @ Western Michigan — Call me crazy, but I think WMU’s offense might be the best in the MAC. It has the wide-outs to contend in the air, while having a nice 1–2 punch of Bellamy and Bogan on the run. This offense has enough firepower to compensate for a shaky defense that does just enough to get wins. EMU’s lack of a run game will be the difference as they drop another one-score game.
Northern Illinois @ Ball State — Another solid game, with Ball State looking like a great offense themselves. However, I’m not sold on Riley Neal to win games against contenders. NIU has a fantastic defense, and an offense that does just enough to wear down opponents and get a couple scores to win. NIU owns the Bronze Stalk, and I don’t see that changing this weekend.
Ohio @ Kent State — Remember when we thought Kent State was exciting? That was fun. Ohio will put up oodles of points, and the Flashes don’t have enough talent to match. Kent St might not be the worst team in the MAC, but it’ll still be a bottom dweller this season.
Miami @ Akron — Miami has exploded for points since entering MAC play, but only has one win over BG to show for it. Akron has played three games total, but its defense looks just as opportunistic as last years’, when the Zips made the MAC Championship. Give me Akron in a close game at home coming off a bye.
Bowling Green @ Toledo — Yeah, the Rockets will be fine with or without Guadagni at QB. BG is a sieve on defense.
Game of the Week — NIU @ Ball State (Battle for the Bronze Stalk) — Give me this one as Ball State’s offense might actually be able to beat NIU given the questions surrounding the Huskies’ ability to move the ball. Also, being at home, you never know.
